This superfamily is made up of diverse membrane-bound proteins characterised by the presence of a conserved domain, the band-7 domain. Alternative names for this domain are SPFH or PHB domain. The exact function of this domain remains unknown although characterised members have revealed lipid-binding properties together with the ability to assemble into membrane-bound oligomers that form putative scaffolds (INTERPRO:IPR001107).

The name refers to human erythrocyte membrane proteins separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis which have been stained with coomassie blue